The United States and Ukraine have signed an economical partnership agreement and the creation of an American-Ukrainian Investment Fund for Reconstruction. The parties indicated the records of the document. It was signed after more than 2 months of stalemate and tense negotiations. Meanwhile, Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday what he said to Volodymyr Zelensk during their last meeting, which took place in the Vatican before the ceremony of Pope Francis.
"April 30 United States and Ukraine sign US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund (US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund). In designation of the crucial financial and material support that the United States nation has given to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion of Russia, Economic partnership will enable our 2 countries to cooperate and invest togetherto guarantee that our common assets, talents and opportunities accelerate Ukraine's economical recovery" - said the Ministry's Communication. It was announced that both sides would proceed to work to finalise the details of the programme's management.
The contract was besides confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy Julija Swyridenko. As she wrote on the X platform, both The US, as well as Ukraine, are to make contributions to the fund equally, and in the case of the US, the value of future military aid will be counted as a contribution to the fund. On the Ukrainian side, the fund is to be powered by 50% of gross to the state budget from the exploitation of fresh natural materials deposits.w.
"The fund will then invest in mining projects of critical materials, oil and gas - as well as related infrastructure and processing. circumstantial investment projects will be selected jointly by Ukraine and the US. Importantly, the Fund can invest only in Ukraine" - wrote Swyridenko. "We anticipate that for the first 10 years the profits and income of the Fund will not be distributed, but alternatively reinvested in Ukraine - in fresh projects or reconstruction. These conditions will be discussed further" - she announced.
Ukraine's agreement with the USA
In his statement, US Finance Minister Scott Bessent stated that the signed agreement "clearly signals Russia that Trump administration is active in a peace process focused on free, sovereign and prosperous Ukraine in the long term".
"President Trump's imagination assumes partnership between the American people and the Ukrainian people to show commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine" - said Bessent. "And just to be clear, no state or individual who financed or supplied the Russian war device will be able to benefit from the reconstruction of Ukraine" - he added.
The terms of the negotiated agreement are much more favourable to Ukraine than the first US proposals and akin to those which president Volodymyr Zelenski was to sign during his February visit to the White House. Against the first demands of the United States the agreement does not impose on Ukraine the work to repay past American military aid with proceeds from the exploitation of deposits. Ukrainian natural materials deposits are besides to stay under "full control and ownership of Ukraine", while the fund itself is to be managed jointly by both parties. The American government is besides to aid attract additional investment and technology to Ukraine through US global improvement Finance corp (DFC). Contrary to Ukraine's expectations, the agreement does not supply for circumstantial safety guarantees from the US, but - according to the 'Washington Post' - he speaks of the 'long-term strategical alliance' of both countries and of 'supporting the United States for the safety of Ukraine, prosperity, reconstruction and integration into the global economical framework'.
As Swyridenko announced, changes in Ukraine's budgetary law and ratification by the Ukrainian parliament are essential to complete the agreement. It besides ensured that the agreement was not an obstacle to Ukraine's integration into the EU.
The contract is signed after more than 2 months of stalemate and sometimes very tense negotiations. On Wednesday, the plan to sign the agreement was threatened, as the United States demanded the simultaneous conclusion of detailed method agreements on fund management. Finally, these details are to be established at a later date.
Vatican meeting
Last Saturday Before the ceremony of Pope Francis, Donald Trump met Volodymyr Zelenski. A day later, the president of the United States in an interview with journalists said that his gathering with Zelenski in the Vatican Basilica of St Peter was "good" and joked that it took place in "the prettiest office he was in." He reported that Ukrainian president told him he needed more weapons.
On the air of NewsNation station, in a program summarizing Trump's 100-day presidency, the American leader revealed what Zelenski said at the time. "I told him it was very good if we could make a deal that you would sign due to the fact that Russia is much bigger and stronger" - informed.
Source: One / PAP
